A Florida golf tournament briefly turned into a wildlife standoff when an alligator made its way onto the green — forcing a temporary pause in play. While most players might have waited for officials to intervene, Billy Horschel took a different approach.
The incident occurred at the Cognizant Classic in Palm Beach Gardens. As Horschel finished the sixth hole, a gator wandered onto the course. A police officer attempted to move it along — but struggled without the proper equipment. Horschel, seeing the hesitation, grabbed a club and used it to encourage the reptile to head back toward the water.
Billy Horschel: Florida Gator, gator wrangler. pic.twitter.com/KxZKX2aZp8
— Fore Play (@ForePlayPod) February 27, 2025
The crowd quickly took notice — with one spectator referencing Horschel’s time as a University of Florida golfer. The comparison was fitting — one Gator facing down another. Another onlooker joked that Horschel had done this before.
Afterward, Horschel explained that he wasn’t intimidated by the encounter. Growing up in Florida — he had learned that alligators usually avoid humans unless it’s mating season or they are guarding a nest. He recalled watching his father push them back into the water using their tails — though he himself had always used a club instead of his hands.
Despite the unexpected interruption, Horschel stayed locked in on his game — finishing with a strong 5-under 66. Meanwhile, Jake Knapp put himself in elite company with a historic 59 — one of the lowest rounds ever recorded on the PGA Tour.
PGA National is known for its water hazards — but players don’t typically have to deal with hazards that walk onto the green. Officials noted that wildlife encounters are common on Florida courses — though it’s not every day a player takes charge of the situation.
